Washington Ecology’s Actions Don’t Match Its Message, SFF Notes

Washington farmers say a state policy shift is making it harder to survive an already worsening water crisis.

Farm groups across the state are criticizing the Washington Department of Ecology for blocking routine water-right modifications that have traditionally allowed farmers to irrigate more acreage without using additional water. Eighteen agricultural organizations have signed a letter to Ecology Director Casey Sixkiller, arguing the agency's new approach discourages conservation and threatens farm viability during ongoing drought conditions.

Director Sixkiller

Photo: Washington State Department of Ecology

Farmers say the changes, known as "spreads," help them grow more food using the same amount of water through improved irrigation technology and more efficient farming practices.

Actions Don't Match Public Messaging

“Are Ecology and Governor Ferguson serious about protecting fish, local farming and our communities from the devastating effects of drought, or is this just another political game?” asked Ben Tindall, Save Family Farming’s Executive Director. “Because right now their actions don’t match their public messaging. If Director Sixkiller is serious about drought resilience and protecting water supply, he should be directing his staff to stop standing in the way of farmers making these kinds of beneficial changes.”

Agricultural leaders warn the policy could leave farms with fewer options to adapt to drought, changing markets, and rising costs, at a time when water shortages are already putting pressure on Washington agriculture.

“This situation is not only discouraging water use efficiency on farms, it’s providing a bizarre incentive for a farm to consider actually wasting water, simply to protect their water rights and ability to adapt to changing markets and climate,” said Fred Likkel, Executive Director of Save Family Farming affiliate Whatcom Family Farmers. “Sadly, a return to less-efficient crops and irrigation methods appear to be the only way Ecology will allow some farms to protect the water access that they currently have. It’s crazy.”

These Farmers Aren't Asking For Additional Water

“Governor Ferguson and Ecology Director Casey Sixkiller need to immediately direct agency staff to stop obstructing these common-sense practices," Tindall added. "The farmers seeking these approvals are not asking for additional water, new water rights, or increased withdrawals. They are simply trying to make more efficient use of the water they are already legally entitled to use. Ecology's current approach discourages conservation, undermines drought resilience, and contradicts the very goals state leaders claim to support. Ecology needs to return to their historical approach on these approvals, and actually work alongside farmers to protect this state’s water resources and agricultural productivity. With the current crisis we’re all facing, there’s no justification for this kind of bureaucratic obstruction."

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